Bivins wails as baby cries

On Friday, Sen. Teel Bivins, R-Amarillo, started to discuss how the House amended his Booker Hospital District bill when he was interrupted by a crying infant in the Senate gallery.

"Wwaaaaaaaahh!!!" Bivins wailed into his microphone.

His response prompted the baby to resume crying, but the child was shushed or hustled out of the chambers to end the baby-talk filibuster.

The bill, approved by the Senate in March, reduces the number of directors for the Booker Hospital District from nine to seven. The House amended the measure to delete a specific reference to May 6, 2000, as the next election in favor of the "first May uniform election date."

Rep. Warren Chisum, the House sponsor of the bill, said jokingly he was surprised at Bivins' emotional reaction to the amended legislation.

"I thought he would be more upset at his other bills I've busted," said Chisum, R-Pampa.

"I guess I violated the 'no whining' rule," Bivins joked.

The bill is now headed to Gov. George W. Bush's desk for his signature or veto.